Reviews of ‘Bird Calls’ by Rudresh Mahanthappa and ‘Intents and Purposes’ by Rez Abbasi

February 24, 2015 2:00 AM

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Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, who is 43, and guitarist Rez Abbasi, who is 49, share more than South Asian and American roots. Each musician is a vital figure on his instrument, the two jazzmen rose to prominence about a decade ago, and they have played together in several bands.

Earlier this month, each released a recording that takes vintage repertoire in a new direction. Mr. Mahanthappa’s disc, “Bird Calls” (ACT), offers a series of tunes inspired by the music of Charlie Parker—but so deeply abstracted that it is no rote tribute recording. Instead, the saxophonist who cou...